Melissa, it does say, “recoilless.” But yeah … I’m picturing newsreel-type footage of someone firing this thing, the front end shimmying like crazy, then a comical crash in a ditch.

Myles says: December 15, 200812:07 pm

Yeah, but is it street legal?

Airmon says: December 15, 200812:57 pm

You’d have to take it off to fire it, unless you were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice ( suicide mission ).
“Recoilless” means that it lessens the recoil by spitting all the hot gases out the back of the gun to counter the shell shooting out the front.
Consequently, if you were sitting on the seat when you fired it, I doubt front end shimmy would be the worst of your problems.

I believe the danger area behind a gun like this extends 300 feet or so…

Eli says: December 15, 20081:10 pm

I think I just got an idea for a kickass remake of “Roman Holiday.”

Kenneth says: December 15, 20083:07 pm

Airmon, then I guess if you fire while sitting we’re talking baked ham(s)?

Talk about turning the other cheek!

Airmon says: December 15, 20084:59 pm

Kenneth – Along with “Roasted Chestnuts”. While the gun itself might not recoil, I would guess that if you caught the full blast of the recoil gasses you would likely be blown off the back of the scooter.

LightningRose says: December 15, 20086:15 pm

According to article at the link provided by Airmon, this weapon saw service in Algeria and Indochina. Here’s more info on this specific device.

In the bicycle museum in Orchard Park, NY, there’s a regular bike with a 30 cal. machine gun mounted on the handlebars. (http://www.pedalinghist…)

The Vespa looks a lot more practical.

BTW, I just saw that Pedaling History will close in January 2009. Too bad, it’s a fairly unique museum.

Eliyahu says: December 18, 20085:55 pm

This would actually be a fairly effective way to use the weapon. The only difficulty would be in aiming and adjusting elevation. A recoilless rifle has no kickback, and while no one would want to be behind it when it fires, you’d be perfectly safe sitting astride the thing. We used to use the M67 90mm recoilless rifle when I was in the army, and it was a shoulder-carried weapon, much like the “bazooka” rocket launcher. No risk at all for the operator. See, http://www.inetres.com/… for info.

mickey says: January 8, 200910:58 am

instead of mounting it to the bike so that you cant move it, a flexible mount would be much better. in essence, a recoilless rifle has all of the general advantages and disadvantages of a bazooka.
also, Airmon: look at it again. the back of the gun goes past the end of the bike. you can sit in the seat and fire it without killing yourself

Joe says: January 13, 200911:31 am

That can’t be a french gun. French guns are straight up so a white flag (the french national flag) can be easily seen.